Episode 467 Elmore's Remodeling

I was hoping to finish exploring the sixteenth layer and find the stairs to the seventeenth, but time is running out."

I think this is a great accomplishment for us, because we beat the Jabberwock."

　After reporting to the Adventurers' Guild, I returned to Shibusi Market and went to see Master Mitsuhashi after distributing tangerines. Master Mitsuhashi saw my face,

Come to practice once in a while or your arm will get rusty."

I'm sorry, I was on an expedition, exploring the dungeon. Here is a souvenir."

　I gave him a tangerine and a pair of "dragon scale boots".

'These tangerines are the same ones I had last year. But what about these boots?"

I beat the mid-boss and those boots dropped."

'Then use it yourself. Isn't it magical equipment?"

Yes, it's called 'dragon scale boots,' a magical equipment that increases leg strength up to six times."

　I explained how to use it.

If it's such a magical piece of equipment, it would be better used by a Grimm."

　I cowered.

I just ordered a pair of combat boots in Dragon King leather."

If these are 'dragon scale boots,' then these are 'dragon king shoes. But they are not magic equipment, are they?"

I have other magical equipment that does the same thing.

I understand. I'll take it gratefully."

　Master Mitsuhashi thanked me. Then, he began to give me a hard time, saying it was a sign of appreciation. I practice, shouting in my mind that I don't need such a thank-you. Thanks to him, I was able to practice "O-fighting," which is one of the most difficult in Nankuru-ryu.

woof (crosswise threads on a loom)

I was able to make the molds of "The Mold" my own.

　This "King Fighting" kata is unique to Nankuru-ryu, and is a kata that contains offensive and defensive techniques. After the practice was over, Master Mitsuhashi put on his "Ryu-rin boots" and gave it a try. From a ready position, he kicked the ground and jumped seven meters at a stretch, and Mitsuhashi Shihan laughed, saying that he thought he could use it.

　I sighed when I saw the way he jumped as if he were sliding on the ground, instead of leaping high. If I had done the same thing, I would have jumped higher. And I would not have been able to avoid the enemy's attack while I was leaping.

　Moreover, there was no preliminary movement, no wake-up at all. When I noticed it, I had leaped, and upon landing, I launched a thrust. If that had been a move against me, I would have been hit by a thrust without any response.

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　After returning from Master Mitsuhashi's place, Metis and I discussed Elmore's body. We asked him to produce the necessary parts. Once the parts were completed and delivered, the modification of Elmore began.

　Chika and Ami, plus Nezu, will help. Elmore's body is destroyed, and the three sorcery sets, magic cores, and storage rings are recovered.

　The magic core to be used is a fusion of the original one and a magic core made from the shadow magic stone of the shadow ogre; the amount of shadow clay kneaded with D-particles is one hundred and fifty kilograms.

　First, I asked Tamegoro and Chika to make a rough shape for me. It is a humanoid without a tail, with a slender, macho physique and a height of 180 centimeters. Inside the body, metal spheres with the three characteristics of "vector control," "repulsion (earth)," and "repulsion (water)" are embedded in the waist and head.

　Ami tilted her head.

'Dr. Grimm, what is this metal ball?'

'Oh, we use the same metal with the same properties that we use for our hover vehicles.

In other words, when you pour magic into it, it floats?

I want the new Elmore to be able to move freely in the air. I want my new Elmore to be able to move freely in the air."

　Ami nodded in admiration.

Not even in France." It's a whole new shadow puppet."

　The inside of the metal sphere embedded in the head is filled with a magic core and shadow clay. The shadow clay is used to hold the magic core in place. The metal sphere has many holes in it, so that the core and the whole body are connected by a nerve network.

　Other metal bones with the same characteristics were implanted in the lower ankles and arms. The metal used this time was purplish-gold steel. It is said that after it has melted and hardened, it remembers its shape when magical power is poured into it.

　Devil's eyes and devil's ears, plus a sorcery voice, storage rings, six core attachment holes, and four magic batteries are also implanted.

　We all worked together to make adjustments and make sure every detail was perfect. Of course, the face is the same as before, as requested by Métis. For some reason, Métis seems to like this face.

　Finally, as for the paint job, the hair and eyebrows were left black, and the skin color was cherry-red. It is said that when this cherry blossom color is made up with commercially available cosmetics, it becomes close to the average Japanese skin that has not been sunburned. This is the result of Métis' research.

　When the finishing touches are poured into the magic, bones are formed and muscle, skin, and hair are completed. When Métis takes control, it is ready to move. We put her in clothes and tested her movements. It seems to be all right.

Thank you, guys. Everything seems to be all right."

　The apprentices who helped him were rewarded for their labor with a feast prepared by Kongoji and Toshizo. At that table, Ami told us that a famous magic puppeteer was coming from France.

　A mage puppeteer is a craftsman or technician who makes shadow puppets.

What does it matter?"

The famous magic puppeteer is coming all the way from France. I have no doubt he will come to see the doctor."

　I haven't received any such contact, so I wonder what's going on.　It is not that I am not interested in him as a creator of shadow puppets, but if he is not coming from faraway France to see me, but is coming to Japan for some business and wants to meet me on the way, he should not have much business.

　Just when I had forgotten about the French magic puppeteer, I received a call from a government official. The magician wanted to meet me and asked if I could make time for him.

　Since Elmore's remodeling was finished and I had some free time, I agreed. I was curious to see what kind of shadow puppets the magician would create.

　We were to meet at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in Tokyo, and I headed to Tokyo from noon. Upon arrival in Tokyo, I went to the METI building. When I entered the building, I was greeted by an official named Sato.

Thank you for coming such a long way."

What kind of person is this French magic puppeteer?"

Mr. Montagnier is a leading magician in the French shadow puppet industry. The shadow puppets he has created are sold for over 10 million yen.

　Sato told me that Montagnier is an amazing artist. It seems that an artist is being born in France in shadow puppet making.

　The two most common types of shadow puppets in France were for pets and for escorts, but it seems that a work of art has also been created.

Please do not be rude. By the way, I heard that Mr. Sakaki has discovered a way to create shadow puppets; is it true?"

　I guess they did a little research on me.

Yes, it's true.

　Sato lets out a sigh.

It is a sad story that the seeds of an industry were discovered in Japan, but it was France that nurtured them."

　I know I sound like I'm talking about something else, but I thought METI was also responsible for this.

　I was escorted to the conference room and introduced to Montagnier. Montagnier looked thrilled and took my hand and shook it.

Dr. Grimm, you are the God of the Shadow Puppet Industry."

　To my surprise, Montagnier spoke good Japanese. But the story is one that I would consider an exaggeration. Sato also looked surprised when he heard it.